German Football Club Forced To Lay Off Workers

Newly-relegated German 2. Bundesliga club Hertha BSC Berlin laid off several employees due to budget cuts, according to the DPA. A total of 14 employees in the club's administration department received their notice of termination on July 1. Hertha spokesperson Peter Bohmbach said, "The positions are being cut due to restructuring measures." He added, "Those measures are necessary to prepare the club for the future." Hertha reduced its budget from €62M ($78M) to €31.8M ($40M) after its relegation to the 2. Bundesliga. Staff expenditures were also reduced from €27M ($34M) to €13M ($16M) (DPA, 7/2).